Poultry decapitator



March 25, 1947.`

J. L. STAUFENBIEI.A

. POULTRY DECAPITATOR Filed Sept. 4, 1945 Patented Mar. 25, 1947 iJNiTEo STATES PATENT OFFICE PGULTRY DECAPITATOR Jacob L. Staufenbiel, Aiton, Mo.

Application September 4, 1945, Serial No. 614,166

7 Claims. 1

The present invention pertains to a novel device for use in the beheading of poultry or the like.

It is particularly, though not exclusively, useful when a relatively large number of chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, or other edible fowl or game is tc be prepared for the table.

The invention is particularly designed to expedite and facilitate the decapitation of live poultry, in that it permits the free use of both hands during decapitating operations, and simultaneously insures severance of the head from the body of the fowl with a single stroke.

In general, the invention includes a vertically disposed, stationary blade cooperable with a companion blade slidably mounted for vertical reciprocatory movements toward and away from said first named blade; foot-operable means adapted to effect descent of the reciprocatory blade; spring means adapted to effect instantaneous ascent of said blade to its original position upon release of said foot-operable means; adjustable guide means facilitating proper positioning of the fowl and simultaneously cbviating injury to the hands of the operator; and means whereby the severed head of the fowl and the attendant blood may be discharged into a suitable receptacle.

The principal object of the invention therefore is to provide a comparatively simple and inexpensive vapparatus requiring little skill on the part of the user in order to behead a large number of fowl in a comparatively short time.

vAnotherobject is to provide such a device with means whereby the neck of the fowl is easily fed into proper position, said means at the same time functioning as safety guards to prevent injury to the hands of the person operating the device.

A further object is to provide a simple apparatus adapted for the beheading of poultry or fowl of Various sizes.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent or pointed out in the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification, and wherein similar parts are designated by similar numerals throughout the various views.

In the said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the preferable embodiment of the invention, shown as mounted adjacent one end portion of a table;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view thereof, the table top appearing in vertical section, and the View being taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1;

reciprocable blade member;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 2, with the moving parts of the device in an alternate p-osition; and

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the adjustable guide members which also serve as a safety device.

As shown in the drawing, the invention is preferably mounted adjacent one end portion of .a table generally indicated I0, whose top Ii is supported on legs I2. The base I3 of the'device is rigidly secured to said table top by means of removable screws or bolts I4 which pass through integral oifset lateral flanges I5 of the base, and into said table top. The base proper is horizontally disposed and raised above the table top for reasons to be explained hereinafter.

Mounted on and supported by the base I3, is an angular structure or framework generally designated I6, and a stationary lower blade member Il, the latter being rigidly afxed to the base by means of an angle plate I8 to which the blade member is riveted or otherwise secured, and

which is in turn secured to said base by means of bolts I9, as shown, or by analogous means. Said stationary blade member I1 is provided centrally with a V-shaped shearing or cutting edge 2l), adapted to cooperate with a similar inverted V- shaped edge 2i provided in a reciprocable upper blade member 22, as will appear.

The framework I6 includes a. pair of standards constituting vertical slideways 23, each of whose lower ends is rigid with a horizontal outstanding flange 2li which rests on the base I3, and is fastened thereto by means of bolt and nut assemblies 25. f

The horizontal cross-sectional configuration of the slideways is optional. For instance, it may be channel-shaped, or, as illustrated, particularly in Fig. 3, it may be angular, or otherwise.

The upper blade member 22 is supported for vertically reciprocable movements by a horizontally disposed bar 25, rigid with a pair of slide members 21, each of whose horizontal cross-sectional congurations coincides with that of itsv associated slideway 23. The blade member 22 is f 3 riveted or otherwise permanently secured to the bar 25.

The framework l5 also includes an angular member 23, rigidly secured by Welding, or otherwise, to the vertical slideways 23, and having apices 2S and Sil formed therein. The upper end of a tension spring 3| is anchored at the apex 29, and a transversely disposed arm or lever 32 is pivotally secured at the a-pex 3l).

As best seen in Fig. 4, a horizontally disposed pin or stud 33 is provided with an enlarged head @il at one end and external sorewthreads at its opposite end. It passes successively through the upper blade member 22, the bar 2S, a flangedv anti-friction roller 35, a washer 35, and an internally threaded nut 37. The lower end of the spring 3l is anchored about said stud between the bar 2S and the roller 35. Thus these parts are maintained in relative position between-the head 34 and the Washer 35 by means of said nut.

The roller 55 operates in an elongated slot 33 formedin the free end portion of the lever 32. Said roller, as shown in the drawing, may consist of two parts. In other words, the roller 35 includes a hub having an integral flange on one side, andl a disc, welded or soldered to the laterally projecting portion of the hub after the latter has passed through slot 38, on the other side.

A s shown especially in Fig. 4, an opening 39 is formed in the table-top to accommodate a vertical connecting rody l5 whose upper end is pivotally secured to the lever 32 as at lll, approximately intermediate the pivot l2 thereof, and the roller 35.

Thelower end oi the rod has a pivotal connection l3 with a treadle lil provided with an elongated slot d5 through which the pivot passes. One end of the treadle is pivotally connected at l5 to one of the table legs i2, and the other end thereof is limited to vertical reciprocal movements by means of a strap 4l secured to another of the table legs. The strap has a portion d8 thereof offset slighty so as to provide a narrow space betweenit and the adjacent leg i2 to accommodate and corinne the treadle therebetween. The upper horizontal portion 49 of said odset portionti may also serve as a stop or abutment limiting the upward travel of the treadle.

Apair of'guide members 59, of the arcuate conguration seenespecially in Fig. 7, and mounted on the table top in advance of the decapitator proper, as shownin Figs. 1 and 3, also serve as guards or` safety devices. Each guide or guard member Eiiincludes a horizontal flange portion 5I, and avertical body portion 52.

One or more arcuate slots 53 are formed in each flange 5l, and the table-top Il is provided with4 correspondingly spaced sets of holes or apertures 54 for the reception of screws 55 which pass through the slots and are threaded into said holes. Two or more sets of holes 513 areprovided for each guide member, so that lateral aswell as longitudinal variations in the location thereof may be had.

As inclined chute 53, mounted as illustrated particularly in Fig. 4, serves to discharge the severed head and attendant blood into a suitable receptacle, not shown.

As previously indicated, the invention is primarily, though not exclusively, intended for use "in the decapitation ofl poultry in relatively large numbers. It is also capable of achieving its' ends regardless of whether the fowl be large or small, the only requirement being the proper positioning. of the guide and guard members 5@ in accordance with thesize of `the victimin the following description of operation, the term bird is assumed to cover any and all poultry or fowl susceptible of the action of the decapitator.

Assuming now, that a quantity of relatively large birds are to be beheaded, the combined guide and guard members are positioned approximately as in Fig. l, whereas for relatively small birds, the members Eil are shifted inwardly as is' understood. For very large birds, the members 5t are positioned outwardly, the outermost sets of holes 54 being utilized in securing the guides to the table top.

The operato-r grasps the bird and slides it forwardly head rst on the table top until its neck has passed through the opening 5l, more or less donned by the V-shaped cutting edges l and 2l of the lower and upper blade members respectively, whereupon he depresses the treadle with his foot to complete the beheading operation.

As previously stated, one of the principal advantages inherent` in the use of the invention is the ability of the operator to grasp the bird iirmly with both hands. The arcuately shaped guide members facilitate proper positioning of the neck ci the also aid in maintaining the bird in position, and at the same time safeguard the hands of the operator from injury by the blades.

In Fig. 2, the device is illustrated in its normal position ready for use. At this time the spring 'si maintains the reciprocable upper blade member well as the treadle in the elevated position shown.

In Fig. 6 the device is illustrated as it appears at the completion of a beheading operation, just pri-cr to removal by the operator of his foot from the treadle. Immediately upon removal of 'his foot, the parts return to their Fig. 2 position under the action of the tension spring 3|. The return movement is arrested by the abutment 49, when the blade member 22 arrives at its normal elevated position.

The downward movement of the blade 22 is arrested by thelower extremities 53 of the slide members 2T when the apex of the cutting edge 2l has passed slightly beyond the apex of the cutting edge 2d. This condition obtains in Fig. 6, wherein it is noted that the ends 58 of the slides 21 are in contact with the base I3, thus preventing further downward movement of the said blade.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that the invention achieves its objects in a highly eiiicient manner. The anti-friction roller 35 is journaled loosely on the stud Sii so that the latter does not revolve during reciprocal movements of the blade. This arrangement insures smooth and easy`operation.

The base i3 is raised above the table topv to facilitate cleaning. Should either the slides 21 er the slideways 23 become worn after considerable usage, such wear may beetalien up by a slight adjustment ci the bolt and nut assemblies E5 in association with a pair of elongated slots 5g in the base i3 through which the bolts pass.

The discharge chute is so located that only sufficient clearance to permit descent of the blade 22 obtains between the Vertical flange portion 60 thereof, and the stationary blade Vi. Thus the severed heads and the accompanying blood are automatically discharged at the rear of the device upon descent of the upper blade. The upper edge of the Flange le may be beveled as at tl to increase the eiiiciency of the chute.

While' the particular embodiment ofv the in astra-esos vention .illustrated and described hasbeen foundv highly eiiicient, it is obviously susceptible of modification without departing from the principle thereof.

What is claimed is:

Y1. Adevice for decapitating poultry including a base secured to a table or the like, a stationary vertical blade member mounted on the base, a companion blade slidably mounted for vertical reciprocatory movements toward and away from said iirst named blade, foot-operable means to effect descent of the reciprocatory blade, spring means to eiect instantaneous ascent thereof following release or" said foot-operable means, adjustable guide and guard means to facilitate proper positioning of the fowl and simultaneously obviating injury to the hands of the operator, and means to discharge the severed poultry heads to the rear of the device.

f2. A device for decapitating poultry including a base secured to a table or the like, a stationary vertical blade member mounted on the base, a companion blade slidaoly mounted for vertical reciprocatory movements toward and away from said irst named blade, foot-operable means to effect descent of the reciprccatory blade, means limiting the descent thereof, spring means to effect instantaneous ascent of said blade upon release of said foot-operable means, means limiting the ascent thereof, adjustable guide and guard means to facilitate proper positioning of the fowl and simultaneously obviating injury to the hands of the operator, and means to discharge the severed poultry heads to the rear of the device.

3. Apparatus for Vbeheading poultry including a base secured to the top of a table, a stationary blade member secured to the base, a framework also supported on the base, said framework including a pair of vertical slideways, a vertically reciprocable blade member, slide members secured thereto for cooperation with said slideways, means to effect reciprocation of said reciprocable blade, means to limit the downstroke thereof, means to limit its upstroke, combined guide and guard means secured to said table top in predetermined position in advance of and relative to said blade members, and means for discharging the severed poultry heads at the rear of the device.

4. Poultry decapitating apparatus including a horizontal base secured to the top of a table, a vertically disposed stationary blade member mounted on the base, a vertically upwardly eX- tending frame structure also mounted on the base, a pair of vertical standards constituting slideways incorporated in said frame structure, avertically reciprocable blade member aiiixed to a transversely disposed supporting bar, a slide member rigidly secured to each extremity of said bar, a substantially horizontally disposed lever pivotally secured at one end to said reciprocable blade and at the other end to a portion of said frame structure, an aperture in the table top, a vertical rod freely passing therethrough, a pivotal connection with said lever at the upper end of said rod, a substantially horizontally disposed treadle pivotally attached at one end to a leg of said table, a pivotal connection with said treadle at the lower end of said rod, a tension spring whose lower end is attached to said reciprocable blade and whose upper end is attached to a portion of the frame structure, arcuate guide members adjustably secured to the top of the table adjacent to and in advance of said blades, and

an inclined poultry head 'and blood discharge:`

chute positioned in close proximity to said blades.

5. A device for decapitating poultry comprising a horizontally disposed base secured to the top of a table or the like adjacent one end thereof and in vertically spaced relation thereto, a vertically disposed stationary blade member provided with a V-shaped cutting or shearing edge affixed lto the base, an upwardly extending frame structure comprising a pair of vertical standards constituting slideways and an angular member rigid therewith also mounted on the base, a vertically reciprocable blade member provided with an inverted V-shaped cutting or shearing edge rigid with a transversely disposed supporting bar, a slidev member rigidly secured to each extremity of said bar, a substantially horizontally disposed lever pivotally secured at one end to said reciprocable blade and at the other end to a portion of said frame structure, an aperture in the table top, a vertical rod freely passing there-y through, a pivotal connection with said lever at the upper end of said rod, a substantially horizontally disposed treadle pivotally attached at one end to a leg of said table, a pivotal connection with said treadle at the lower end of said rod, a

tension spring whose lower end is attached to said Y reciprocable blade and whose upper end is at- `tached to a portion of the frame structure, ar-

cuate guide members adjustably secured to the top of the table adjacent to and in advance of said blades, and an inclined poultry head and blood discharge chute positioned in close prox-- imity to said blades.

6. A device for decapitating poultry comprising a horizontally disposed base secured to the*` top of a table or the like adjacent one end thereof and in vertically spaced relation thereto, a vertically disposed stationary blade member provided with a V-shaped cutting or shearing edge aiiixed to the base, an upwardly extending frame structure comprising a pair of vertical standards constituting slideways and an angular member rigid therewith also mounted on the base, a vertically reciprocable blade member provided with an inverted V-shaped cutting or shearing edge rigid with a transversely disposed supporting bar, a slide member whose horizontal cross-sectional configuration coincides with that of its associated slideway rigidly secured to each end of said bar, a substantially horizontally disposed lever whose free end is pivotally secured to said reciprocable blade by means of a non-rotatable stud passing therethrough and through said blade, an elongated slot formed in said end of the lever, an antifriction roller loosely journaled on said stud and operative in said slot, a washer and a nut arrangement to maintain the roller on the stud and in the slot, a pivotal connection for said lever at its opposite end to said frame structure at one apex thereof, an aperture in the table top, a vertical rod freely passing therethrough, a pivotal connection with said lever at the upper end of said rod, asubstantially horizontally disposed treadle pivotally attached at one end to a leg of said table, a pivotal connection with said treadle at the lower end of said rod, a tension spring whose lower end y inga vertical ange portion Whose.. upper edge is beveled, and whose location is such thatonly suficient clearance obtains between it and the. stationary blade to accommodate the reciprocable blade when the latter descends.L

7. A poultry decapitator comprisingahorizon.-

tally disposed base securedvto the top of a.table or the like adjacent one end. thereof andintvertically spaced relation thereto, a verticallyY disposed stationary blade member providedlwith ai V-shaped cutting or shearing. edgeafxed. to the base, an upwardly extending. framestructure in'-f cluding a pair of spaced vertical. slidevvays` and' an angular member rigid therewith. a horizon'- tally disposed flange member' rigid withthe lower extremity of each slideway, a pair of. elongated' slots in the base,rnut and bolt assemblies associated with saidV slots to adjustably secure said slideways to the. base, a pair' of apices in;said angular member of theV framestructure, a vertically reciprocable blade member providedwith an inverted V-shaped cutting or shearing edge, a, horizontal supporting bar therefor, slide members securedl to the ends of. the supporting bar and slideable in said slideways, a, transversely disposed lever pivotally attached at one end to said angularV frame member at one apexv thereof, a vertically disposed tension spring anchored at its upper end to said angular frame member at the otherapex thereof, a-headedstud passing through the reciprocable blade and` its supporting `bar and projecting rearwardly therebeyond, an anti-friction roller looselyA journaled on the rearwardly projecting portion of the stud, an elongated slotA in the free end of the transverse-lever associated with said roller, a washer abouttsaid stud interposed between the roller and a nut threaded on the extremity of the stud, said tensioni spring an chored. atits lower end to said stud, an aperture in the table topbelow thetransverseilever', aver-- tically reciprocable rod pivotally connected at its upper end to the lever passing through said aperture, a transversely disposed treadle pivotally secured to' a stationary part of said table, a pivotal.

connection between the lower end of said vertical rod and the treadle, an elongated slot in the treadle about said pivotal connection, a strap member secured to a stationary part of thetable, a horizontally offset portion formed in the strap to confine the treadle to vertical movements between said offset portion and said stationary part of the table, an abutment on the strap to limit the upward travel of said treadle, a complementary pair of guide members mounted on the table in advance of said blade members, each guide member comprising an arcuately contoured vertical body portion and a similarly contoured hori- Zonta] flange portion, one or more arcuate slots in the ange portions, and a plurality. of laterally spaced corresponding sets of apertures in the table top to receive removable screws passing through said slots and engaging said apertures.

JACOB L. STAUFENBIEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 487,560 Furnas et al. Dec. 6, 1892 549,003 Olson Oct. 29, 1895 551,283 Huddle Dec. 10, 18954 1,149,517 Hogan L Aug. 10, 1915 

